Samhain 2018

Beyond the Gates of Time

The Wheel of the Year has reached its pinnacle and a time of reflection and renewal draws upon us. As we reach across the Veil and walk between the Gates of Time, we honor those who have passed before us and open our hearts to the lessons of memory and the wisdom of the Ancestors. Join with beloved community as we celebrate endings that are beginnings, revel in the gifts of today, and step with open eyes into the season of transformation.

Space is limited for this popular festival, so reserve your spot today!

Activities at this year's Samhain include:

Friday night's Witches' Ball, featuring Water Street Bridge!These veterans of stage and studio blend Celtic, blues, old timey, Americana, sea shanty, pseudo-Slavic, jazz, Creole, art rock, reggae, comedy and original songs into something that can only be described as “eclectic acoustic.” Brandishing an impressive arsenal of musical instruments they bring new life to tales of old, old sounds to tales of today, and twisted takes on tales never meant to be told. Holding true to its original vision, Water Street Bridge remains a creative collective, thriving off the input and participation of a variety of musicians, artists, dancers and poets. Steam powered, funked out... this AIN'T your momma's folk music.

More about Samhain:

SCHEDULE of EVENTS

Friday, October 26th

12 pm

Gate opens for Arrivals

Donations for Raffle and Silent Auction accepted at Raffle Tent next to the barn

1:00 - 2:30 pm

Spiritual Care: Understanding the Wounds of the Self with Rev. Tiffany AndesAs healers, leaders, and teachers in our communities, it is essential we understand the foundational wounds and trauma we all bear and struggle with as humans. Having a greater understanding of these dynamics allows us to communicate more effectively and to be better at interfacing in our communities. The cornerstones or wounds that we will cover in this workshop will be grief and loss, shame and guilt, forgiveness, and anger.

Kids & Family: New Year, New Broom with Florence in the Summer KitchenSamhain is the start of our new year, and we’ll create new brooms to help us sweep away the detritus of the old year and bring in good things for the year to come. Grown-ups are encouraged to come and assist younger participants.

3:00 - 4:15 pm

Psychic Ability and Divination Workshop with Laura GonzálezLaura will share her 29 years of knowledge, family traditions and experiences to guide you into tapping your own psychic abilities and divination skills. Her practice in the world of psychic abilities and divination combines a unique blend of Mexican folk magic, Pagan and Wiccan practices, and her personal experiences as a "witch for hire". This workshop is for both experienced and non-experienced Witches and Pagans of all walks of the earth!

Kids & Family: Samhain Storytime & Face Painting with Florence in the Summer KitchenWe’ll gather for storybooks and songs celebrating all things fall, Samhain, and Halloween. Those who wish to can also get their faces painted and get into their costumes for Samhain trick-or-treating!

4:30 - 5:30 pm

Opening Ritual with Rev. Tiffany Gather to bless the festival and honor sacred land, harvest’s end, and the community with an introduction to the festival coordinators & staff.

5:30 - 7 pm

Dinner behind the Farmhouse

7:30 pm

Arrivals begin for Witches' BallGates open from 7:30 pm - 1 am for those coming just for the Witches Ball

Kids & Family: Kids' Trick-or-Treat Parade with FlorenceWe’ll go through camp, collecting treats for our party and showing off our costumes. Grown-ups are encouraged to reserve some of their witches-ball contribution to gift to the children, or bring treats to distribute.

8 pm - Midnight

The Annual Witches' Ball!A grand Samhain celebration featuring live music, refreshments, dancing and merriment with friends of many Pagan paths. Costumes are encouraged: Join us for a rollicking evening of good fun!

8 - 9 pm

Kids & Family: Witches-In-Training Dance Party and Drive-in Movie with FlorenceKids take over the tent! While the grownups have their party, the kids will groove out to music of our own, followed by a big-screen halloween movie night. Movie TBD. Parents MUST pick your children up by 9 p.m.

Saturday, October 27th

8 - 9 am

Breakfast in the Summer Kitchen

9 - 9:45 am

Baby Blessing with the Brammerson FamilyEmily & Zephyr celebrate their first child with a loving welcome to the Pagan community!

10 am - Noon

Circle Sanctuary Annual Meeting with Rev. Selena, Rev. Bob and othersJoin us for a review of Circle Sanctuary’s activities over the past year, recognition of the contributions of volunteers and staff, and presentation of the Annual Report by Selena, Bob, and others. Share ideas for the future and celebrate Circle Sanctuary’s 44th birthday.

Noon

Lunch behind the Farmhouse

1:30 - 3 pm

Samhain Transformation Workshop with Rev. River HigginbothamJoin Reverend River in the Temple Room for an invigorating experience. The season of endings is now, but what ends? What wisdom opens to us through the underworld journey of Inanna as she faces her sister Ereshkigal? What must you let go of to transform and potentially redeem yourself? We will explore these questions together and discover our own answers.

Guided Painting Workshop with Colleen KoziaraTap into your inner vision and put paint to canvas with Colleen’s expert guidance to create your own Samhain artwork. $5/person requested for cost of materials, collected at start of workshop.

Kids & Family: No End to the Circle - Encountering Death and Funeral Rites with Florence in the Summer KitchenAs Pagans, we recognize that death is a necessary part of the cycle of life. We do our children no favors when we hide this part of life from them, even when we, as adults, have difficulty talking about it. In this workshop we’ll talk about death in age-appropriate ways through a Pagan perspective, including the concepts of the eternal spirit and reincarnation. We’ll then hold a child directed funeral for a wild animal, including a burial ritual. Parents are strongly encouraged to attend with their children and participate in the discussion.

3:30 - 5 pm

Ancestor Workshop with Rev. Selena FoxDevelop and deepen relationships with Ancestors as part of spiritual practice at Samhain time, as part of life passage rites, and throughout the year. Explore some ways to create and work with Ancestors altars, stories, and rituals.

Kids & Family: Elemental Pumpkin Decorating with Florence in the Summer KitchenJack-o-lanterns are fun to make, but they can also be helpful friends and guardians in our rituals. We’ll carve and decorate pumpkins to be incorporated into the ritual circle this evening.

5:30 - 6 pm

Raffle & Silent Auction results with Jenn ButterfieldTry your hand at winning unique & inspiring Pagan goods generously donated by the community. Bid on silent auction items or get your raffle tickets earlier in the day, then come to the raffle to see who takes home fantastic prizes.

6 - 7:30 pm

Dinner behind the Farmhouse

7:45 pm

Kids & Family: Family Samhain Ritual with Florence at Bonfire CircleBefore the grownups have their ritual, we’ll have a Samhain ritual appropriate for all ages. We’ll sweep away the old year, and laugh in the new year, making wishes for the time to come. Everyone is invited to participate in this ritual.

8 - 10 pm

Samhain Main Ritual: Beyond the Gates of Time with Rev. Georgette Paxton, Rev. Selena Fox, and othersThe Veil is thin and the shining Gates have opened. We gather in reverence together in the heated tent on the Green for reflection and communion with those who have gone before in a transformative ritual moving between silent contemplation, divination, and a procession into the night. (Dress in layers: The ritual takes place beginning in the tent and ending outdoors.)

Kids & Family: Kids' Samhain Sleepover with Florence in the FarmhouseWhile the grown-ups have their ritual, we’ll take over the farmhouse. Wear your favorite jammies, bring your favorite stuffy, and sleeping bag or blanket. We’ll have a DIY popcorn bar and then settle in for storybooks and a movie.

Sunday, October 28th

8 - 9 am

Breakfast in the Summer Kitchen

9 - 10:30 am

Seasonal Land Experience with ReedExpert naturalist Reed provides an up-close view to the Autumn magic of Circle land. More details coming soon!

Death Midwife Panel with Rev. Sharon Stewart, Raven, Minerva, and othersMeet some of the Death Midwives who work with the Circle Community and join in a fascinating discussion of end-of-life care, experiences working with the dying, supporting the grieving, and providing compassion in times of loss.

11 am - 12:30 pm

Circle Cemetery Rite This annual outdoor Samhain rite at Circle Sanctuary facilitated by Selena Fox and other Circle Sanctuary Ministers includes honoring the Dead with offerings and ritual sweeping of gravestones, featuring cremains interment and remembering the life of beloved community member, author and priestess Kathryn Hinds. It will conclude in the Stone Circle with Circle Sanctuary delegates blessing the 2018 Parliament of the World's Religions. Bring fresh or dried herbs, flowers, and/or other offerings to decorate gravesites, plus a stone or crystal to leave at the Stone Circle. All welcome.

12:30 - 1:30 pm

Lunch behind the Farmhouse

2 - 2:30 pm

Closing Circle with Revs. Georgette and Bob Paxton, and Rev. Selena FoxGather to seal the magic of the weekend with remembrances and a final release of the forces we’ve invoked in our work together, before returning to our daily lives.

3 pm

Final Departures

PLEASE NOTE: Updates to this schedule will be announced on Circle Sanctuary Community main Facebook page as well as posted here.

VENDORS:

Owing to limited space on the Green, there will be no vending at this event.

REGISTRATION

Adults (each):

Through 10/24

3 Days

$130

Any 2 Days

$110

Sat. Only

$70

Witches' Ball Only

$25

Children 5+ (each)

Through 10/24

3 Days

$50

Any 2 Days

$45

Sat. Only

$35

Witches' Ball Only

$15

Children under 5 are free.

Registration for this event is limited. Please register online to guarantee you will be able to attend. Some same-day registration may be available depending on numbers.

Cancellations received before October 25th will be refunded minus 50% processing fee. Cancellations received on October 25th or later will not be refunded. Please refer to Circle's cancellation policy if you should need to cancel your event registration.